Gas or vapor electric lamp.



P. C. HEWITT.

GAS 0R VAPOR ELECTRIC LAMP.

APPLIUATION FILED APR. s. 1904,

3 SHEETS-SHEET l,

P. c. H EVVITT.my GAS ,OR VAPOR ELECTRIC LAMP.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 9, 1904. l

Patented June 25, 1912.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

I I HHHHHHHHH!!LHHHHHIHHHIHNIHHHIHHHMHH @gli/im. eww

P. G. HEWHT. GAS OR 'VAPOR ELECTRIC LAMP.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 9, 1904. :qapggafjgpggqpgg Patented June 25, 1912.

3 SHEETS-SHEBT 3.

' sans Tran n ica.,

iii'l'lt CGBER HEWITT, 0F NEW YORK, N: Y., -ASSIGNOR T0 OOPER- HEWITT ELECTRIC v COMPAN Y, F NEW YORK, N. Y., AICORPORATION OF NEW YORK. 1

GAS on varon ELECTRIC LAMP.

insonne.

Specification of Letters Patent.

latenteddune 25, i $1.2..

Application filed pril 9, 1904. kSerial No. 202,286.

I rh uit rwhom tt may concern:

Be it known that l, Parnu COOPER Hnwi'rr, a citizen ct the United States, and resiliient of New York, county of New York,

State; of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Gas or,`

l.Taper Electric Lamps, of which the following is a specification. l'

, tential to the terminals.

The present invention relates to starting devices for gas or vapor electric apparatus, and for convenience the description and drawings will be made to apply to gas or vapor lamps, although it will be understood that the same principles may be applled to .l gas or vapor electric apparatusemployed for any purpose whatsoever. Still urther for convenience, the invention will be de-l scribed as applied'to a U-shaped lamp, a1- though the shape of the apparatus need not he conlined to those illustrated and described. j

In general the invention belongs to that class of vapor electric devices wherein a current may be initially passed through the ap'- paratus by way of a continuous conductor, without regard to the vapor column through which the current is ultimately to pass.

This has already been accomplished by pro Viding a path ot mercury from one electrode tothe other inside the rupt the mercury path and cause a flow of current through the vapor, such How of current being rendered easily possible by reason of the fact that the negative electrode re sistance is locally broken down inside the apparatus, after which the iiow of current easily takes place to the negative electrode without the application of any abnormal postance, the conducting path consists ,artly of mercury or other conducting iiuiri, and partly of a resistance conductor. The re sistance conductor is introduced between the terminals of two liquid columns, the said eolunnis and the resistance forming a continuous conducting. path from one electrode to 'the other. Indeed, the so-called liquid columns may extend a very short distance from the electrodes, only just far enough so 'that ay rupture can be made inside the apparatus between the terminals of the resistance conductor andA `the liquid at the electrodes.

'.lhe` rupture .offthis conducting path takes apparatus and, after the'current is established through such patin, the apparatus has been tilted so asto inter-4 theeurrent to low In the present inplace when the apparatus is tilted so as to permit the mercury or other conductingr liep uid to flow away from the terminals of the resistance conductors where they enter the apparatus. 'It is found that the current, on the rupture; of the original circuit as described, will find its way through the mercury vapor' and establish a ow of currentI throu h'the apparatus.` This can all he accomp ished'upon a voltage similar to that which is employed in the actual operation ofthe apparatus, without the application of any abnormal initial voltage for start-ing it. The tilting of the apparatus may be aocomplished by automatic means or manually as preferred, or as circumstances may die tate. Looked at from another point or view, the resistance conductor described above may be regarded as a shunt-circuit for 'the original Vapor resistance between the ends of. the mercury columns or between the electrodes themselves. 'This vapor resistance, as is well-known, is initially very high at the negative side of the circuit, and requires to be broken down before current will pass through the vapor. Such ybreaking down occurs when the rupture takes place between the resistance on the negative side and the 1neroury column ou the same side. The resistance being once broken down the tendency for through the vapor path is at once Iliade.,A operative and as the mercury column recedes 'from the terminals of the resistance conductor, l the tlow continues through the entire vapor path betweenthe electrodes.

My invention will be understood by referenceto the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l is a side elevation of u mercury vapor lamp in the position which it occupies before starting; Fig. 2 ,is an end view ot' the same looking toward the right of liig. l; Fig. 3 is an elevation of the lamp in its position of operation; and Figs. 4, 5, 6 and 7 illustrate modifications.

Referring to the drawings, l is a U- shaped tube containing columns of mercury, 2 and 3. These columns of mercury in the inactive position of the lamp extend from lead-wires, l and 5, tend into the'respective electrode pockets, G and 7, to lead-\\'ires, 8 and 9, extending into pockets, l0 and 1l, near the yoke end of the tube l. At this end, the tube is bent uprespectively, which ex- I A Ward as shown at 12s-o that the mercury does not pass over the bend, but terminates in the pockets 10 and 1l.' Between the leedwires 8 'and 9 is mounted a resistance, 13, which in thepo-sition illustrated in Figs. 1

und 2, constitutes a conducting continuation Atrunnions, 14 and 15, on w nich it can be turned from a substantially horizontal position to aninclined 'or vert-ical osition, and suitable means may be rovide tending to hold it in the position se ected for operation.

The circult having. been established through the a parutus by way of the path already descri ed, the apparatus can now be tilted on its trunnions, say, into the posi#- tion illustrated in Fig. 3, whereby it`will hoppen that a rupture will be made between the mercury columns .2 and 3 and the lead- Wires 8 and l9, respectively. The flow of current will now pass through the entire vapor column includin the bend 12, from -the electrode in the poc et 6 to the electrode' in the pocket 7, or vice versa, as the case may he, depending upon which is the positive andfwhich is the negative electrode,l so. that the entire vapor column will be traversed by current and will.become luminous in the case of clam?? or ,will pass current for vother purposes in t c case ofc. vapor converter.

I generally provide supplemental pockets, 16 und 17, near the lower end of the e paratus to receive the excess of mercury W ich mifrht otherwise be present at the positive und neghtive electrodes in the operative position of the lamp. The .loud-wires 8 und 9 alsol terminate in pockets, as already de-y scribed. Y 3

With the arrangement described, one of the electrodes muy he of solid material and the other of volutilizable uniti-rial, in which (use the sol'id electrode would be so urrungcd us to project beyond the mercury iu one or lhc'other of the pockets G und 7. l

Fig. i shows u partial View of u modified forni of apparatus, the especial feature beugrethat of providing a longer vapor path hctuccn the ends of the mercury columns 2 und 3. The bend 12 is here'prolonged in thc general direction of the legs oi the U shaped tube, whereby the vapor column is lcngthened as stated. Instead of forming two liquid columns extending from tl1e clectrodes, one terminal vof the resistance conductor muy be connected directly with one ofl the electrodes und the rupture of the circuit may take placefbetwenfthe other terminal of the yresistance conductor and e column extending 'fromthe opposite electrode. This arrangcrnentis illustrated Fig. 7.

1n F igs. 5 and 6 the yoke ends ofthe LL shaped tube is twisted in the manner indi, cated in the drawing so that. tire legsof the U return upon themselves, thereby causing the bend to occupy ya. higher positionwhe'u the` apparat-us is lorizontal than ther-estoi the tubeud limiting the distance to rheh' thecoluinns and B'extendin s. direction away -from the yelectrodias. l 'The resistance. 13 is'connected as before between/'the inote ends of the :mercury columns, and the action is enerally the same 'as that elredy. de scri d. 1; .1 y 1. In ell the illustrated forms of tii'ecp'pe.- ratus, it willbeseen tha'tituinitil nath from electrode to electrodefis provided' through e. resistance conductor. uorconlV venicnce the resistance is here shown-en mainly exterior to the container. Owingto the presence of this initial path `or the cur'- rent, the 'negative electrode resistance which is usually present in appcratusoif 'this class is broken down as soon as the current turned on in the vcircuit including the apps; rutus.

In a divisional u plication, tiled June 29, 1.905, Serial Num cr 267,526, claims are ,made upon certain methods of operation dis closed herein. y,

I cluun as my invention: z

1. 'ln a Vacuum electric/a pointus, nsuit` able continuer, Velectrodes t erein, av vapor path between the electrodes, the said path being short circuited during the starting. o

operation for u certain distance by liqiii conductors at cach electrode-und ufs'olidconil ductor-shunting the remainder of the 'vapor path. i 2.111 a vacuum vapor electric sipperntus,

a suitable container,v electrodos therein, n 'i vapor path between the electrodes., tlievsuiti oth being short circuited during the starting operation. for. a, certain distance by li uid conductors at each electrode,Y und e so id conductorshuntin'g the remainder ci the vapor path containing u resistance.

A vacuum va or electric apparatuscomprising a. container, electrodes therein,

and nu inclosed vapor in combination with e conductor shuntmg aportion onlyof sind virpor, connections between the terminals et tice said shunt circuit and the electrodes, sind means whereby the containercsn loe moved .to ruptureztha scid connection.'

4.1 vacuum vapor'electric apparatus coinprieiuf' a container',K electrodes therein, und nn inc osed vvapor in .combination with e conr ductorshuntin a portion only ci the seid' vapor, the sai; shunt circuit continuing ESQ* resistancepconnections between termii ,cadetenalszot' said shunt circuit and the electrodes,

comprising a pivoted container, electrodes therein, and an inclosed vapor, in combination withv a- 'conductor shuntinga portion 'only of the said Vapor,l the said shunt circuit containing a resist-ance, connections between the terminals of said shunt circuit and the electrodes, and means for rupluring the connections.

6. A vacuum vapor ,lectric apparatus comprising a pivoted container, suitable electrodes therein, and an inclosed vapor, a shunt circuit traversing a portion of the vapor path between the electrodes but mainly exterior to the container, the said shunt circuit including a, resist-ance.

7. Ina 'vacuum vapor electric apparatus comprising a pivoted container, suitable electrodes therein, and an 'hicl'osed vapor, a shunt circuit-traversing ai, portion. of the vapor path between the" electrodes but mainly exterior to the container, the said shunt circuit including a resistance, and means whereby the shunt circuit may loe made and ruptured.

8. A gas or vapor electric apparatus comprising a container, main electrodes therein, and an inclosed gas or vapor, in combination with a shunt circuit bridging the path between the electrodes, such shunt circuit consisting in part of a conducting liquid inside the container, and in part ot' a circuit containing a resistance.

9. A or vapor electric apparatus com.- prising a container', nia/in electrodes therein, and an inclosed orvapor, in combination with a shunt circuit bridging the path between theelectrodcs, such shunt circuit consisting in part ot a,-conducting liquid in side the container, and in part oi an external circuit containing a resistance.

l0. lin ra gas or vapor electric apparatus, a containerconsisting of a tube having a portion thereof raised above the level ot the remaining' portion when the apparat-us is in a horizontal position, and means Whereby the container may be shifted.

. r 1i. ln a as-or va er electric a. iaratus a container, and a. conducting liquid inside the container, the container having a portion which is raised above the remaining portions when the aparatus in a horizontal position, an -means ufhereby the position of the container may be shifted.

l2. In a gas or lvapor apparatus, a U.

shaped container, the yoke of which is yraised above the level of the remaining portion when the apparatus is in a horizontal position.

13, lin a as or, vapor apparatus, a U- shaped container, the yoke oi'which is raised above the level or lthe remaining portion when the apparatus is in a horizontal position, conducting circuits entendanr through each leg of the U-shaped container, and means for interrupting the said comluctingiI circuit and starting a circuit through the vapor between `the ends ot the container.

14. ln a gas or vapor electric apparatus, a U-shaped' container having pockets at or near the ends ot' the legs of the U, conducting connections between the said pockets, a resistance between the pockets vat adjacent ends neer the yoke.` the yoke itself beingr raised above the remaining portions or the U and circuit connections leading' to the pockets at the opposite ends of thelees.

15. Ina gas or vapor electric apparatus, a container having electrodes at o1' near its ends, a. conducting liquid in Contact with each electrode, the container beingr so shaped that the said conducting liquid occupies a considerable portion of the container at each end, means whereby the conducting liquids in the opposite end portions are Yprevented from comingl into contact within the container, and means tor shitting the container Vto interrupt the continuity of the circuit in each end.

16. In a gas or vapor electric apparatus, a container having electrodes at or near its ends, a conducting liquid in contact with each electrode, the container being; soshaped that the said conductingv liquids occupy u considerable portion ot the container at cach end When the container is in a horiz/.ouml position, means whereby the conducting` 10G liquids in opposite end portions are prevented from coming into contact withinthe container, and nvans for .sl-lifting the container, in combination with a circuit connecting the conducting liquids.

i7. In a gas or vapor electric appa 1utils, a container havingr electrodes at or near its ends, a conduct-ingr liquid in contact with each elect-rode, the container being so shaped that the said conducting liquids occupy a 110 considerable portion ot' the container ul cach end when the container is in a horizontal position, means whereby the conducting' liquids in opposite eind portions are prevented from coming into contact Within the con- 3.15 tailler, and means for shitting the container in combination with a circuit connecting the conduct-zug liquids, the said circuit containing' a resistance.

18. In e. gas or vapor electric apparatus, 120 a suitable container, electrodes at or near the terminals thereof, mercury connected with each electrode and adapted to form a column when the apparatus isin a horizontal position, a circuit connecting the `mer- 1% cury columns, and means for shifting the Container.

19. In a gas or vapor electric appa? a suitable container, electrodes at or nem' the terminals thorens?, mercury connected the terminals hereoi, mercufy comieeed 'a suiabie coni-einer, eiectr'o'fies si er meer with each eleeiode and efiiipzed iena s eolunm when the appai'aus is in e iieiizoi-` tal position, s Jciieiiii cemiectiiig the mercury columns, such eieui containing e resisance, and means fer siiiiing the een tainer. v

20. in a gas or vapo eiectiie apparatus, a suitabie conteinei', ei'ectifofies et or neer with each electrode andseiepei to 'form s, column when tiie eppamtus is in e hoiizontai position, a circuit connecting @he meycury columns, such eiieuit eoneming e. re# sistance, means for ruptuiing 'the seid ei-r' c'uit, and means for shifting the cnifiinei'.

2l. in a gas oi vapor eiectie eppaatus,

the terminals thereof, mereury eon'neeied with esci@ eieetiode and arie-pied te ferm a, eolumnv i'ien the apparatus is in a bmi zontai position, e circuit-connecting the-inecury eoiumns, such 'circuit containing a resistema, means for metering the Sayid cire cuit Within the container, sind Ineens for shifting; he container.

22. ln e gas or vapor eiecrie apparatus, a eonieiner, eiectiodes herein, means yfor @misi g die container te assume Various positions with ieietion to the horizontal, a Cenciucting liquid connected with each electrede and adapted to fomi eA column 'when the apparatus is in a iiorizonial position., and a, pocket near one or both of the electredes for receiving the excess of conducting liquid when the apparatus-is tiited to- Wai'd or to a Vertcai posiion. 23. vapor device compiising a movabie centaine?, main. eleetrores emi a vapor ii1v| @senses duetors being formed ,of eieetrede rimeeiiei.`

2s; A vapoi1 device comprising e, movable eem-einer, s, vapor :m eieetfedes therein,

iiquid conucos, each exiending' {Tom each eieetrode temporariy 'o e peetermined peint Within the cont-einer and comiections between the seid points by means of a seiid conductor external to/the device iihe sai liquid conductors being formed of electrode materiel,

25. A vapor device comprising a movable coni-einer, e Vapor, sind electrodes therein, liquid conductors, each extendingroni each 'electrode temporsriiy' 'te a predetermined Ein Wihite the container said eonneeions tween theseid points by means of a solid s conductor the said liquid conductors being formed of eieci-rode material.

25, A 17a-'por device comprising e ushaped movsoiecontainer, electiodes near the ms of time i3, liqui conducting eiiensiens tempoi'sriiy exiening imm the seid eecilrodes io points nearer the loop of the Si, 'e soiid conducor connecting .the seid points, sind' pivots or trimniois'ii the device for per mitting ehe seme to be tilted,

Sifned it New York, in the eount-yeff,

New Yek, and State i New York, 1this 1st day of April A. B. 1964:. A

ETER CGQPER HEWITT.' "'Witnesses:

^ ALBERT?. WILLS,

Y TVM. H. CPEL. 

